TỶ LỆ HIỆN MẮC HỘI CHỨNG CỔ RÙA Ở SINH VIÊN TỪ 18-23 TUỔI CÓ SỬ DỤNG ĐIỆN THOẠI TẠI THÀNH PHỐ HỒ CHÍ MINH

Abstract

Backgrounds: “Text neck syndrome is the epidemic of the mobile phone era”, the time when young people can eat, drink, sleep, and rest to “bury their heads” in their phones. Google scholar said that there are more than 4 million search results on this issue, although this is a new syndrome of the 21st century. However, most people are using their phones in bad postures, which will affect the physiological curve as well as the structure of the cervical spine. Many studies show that up to 90% of people are affected by phones and electronic devices to musculoskeletal problems related to the neck. Besides, the pressure that the cervical spine is under when using the phone in the wrong posture is very large. In Vietnam, according to Statista statistics, the number of smartphone users announced in 2022 is 69.2 million people, accounting for 97.6%. This is a new problem that is rapidly escalating in the medical field but there is little information about the future of this syndrome in our country. The research contributes to providing evidence to support the management and health care of students and physical therapists can build exercise programs, raise awareness of the existing text neck, to develop steps to prevent spinal degeneration and improve posture, reduce symptoms for this problem. The research also provides favorable conditions, helping students recognize the effects of the syndrome, to find information to manage their posture when using the phone, avoiding the risk of text neck causing disadvantages in studying, working and personal aesthetics of each person. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of turtle neck syndrome in students aged 18-23 in Ho Chi Minh City in 2024. Methods: The study was descriptive on 425 students studying in Ho Chi Minh City aged 18-23 who agreed to participate in the study and used mobile phones. The study was conducted at 5 universities and colleges in Ho Chi Minh City including Hong Bang International University, Gia Dinh University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Ho Chi Minh City College of Economics from December 2023 to April 2024. Results: Based on the research results, we recorded the prevalence of Text neck syndrome when considering all 3 typical symptoms (neck pain, headache, frontal focus) is 46.6%. In addition, when considering the prevalence of typical symptoms of Text neck syndrome in this study, it is higher than other studies. Specifically, based on the Neck Deficiency Index (NDI) to determine the two factors of headache and neck pain, the results showed that in 425 students participating in the study, headache symptoms were experienced by 365 students, accounting for 85.9%, and neck pain was experienced by 318 students, accounting for 74.8%. Conclusions: Thus, the prevalence of Text neck syndrome in the countries is similar, and increased over the study period. In which, this study may have high reliability because previous studies only assessed turtle neck symptoms through the NDI index and surveyed the study participants to self-report their feelings about their current head posture. This study evaluated the head center measurement to record typical symptoms of Text neck syndrome and processed the measurements using Kinovea software. The prevalence of Text neck syndrome among college students is increasing, with 4-5 out of 10 people at risk of developing the syndrome. And 7-8 out of 10 people have typical symptoms of Text neck syndrome such as headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and a head center that is off the midline. Based on future research results, there should be educational and preventive programs for college students to prevent Text neck syndrome and reduce neck and shoulder pain and other symptoms caused by Text neck syndrome.